US Democratic presidential candidateHillary Clinton has formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the president of the United States.

The former first lady, senator and secretary of state is the first female presidential nominee of a major US political party.

During her nomination speech on Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Clinton said she accepted her party’s presidential nomination “with humility.”

“It is with humility, determination and boundless confidence in America’s promise that I accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Clinton declared.

Clinton promised to improve economic opportunities in the US and urged US voters to embrace four more years of a Democratic White House rather than elect her Republican rival Donald Trump.

Clinton will face Trump in the November presidential election.

She criticized Trump throughout her nearly hour-long speech, and defined her policy agenda largely against that of her Republican opponent as she condemned his “bigotry.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivers a speech during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP photo)

Clinton described Trump as a self-absorbed and unstable candidate that is in contrast to America’s need for a level-headed and compassionate leader.

Clinton also said the US stands by its NATO allies against any threat, including from Russia. “And I’m proud to stand by our allies in NATO against any threat they face, including from Russia.”

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Trump asserted that Washington will not protest its NATO allies against an attack from Russia unless the NATO members “fulfill their obligations to us.”

Clinton also pledged to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities across the country.

She added that she is proud of last year’s nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries and that they must now enforce it while supporting Israel.

The four-day Democratic convention kicked off on Monday amid rallies in support of her former rival Bernie Sanders who has also called for uniting behind Clinton to defeat Trump.

Earlier in the day, police made several arrests outside the venue of the DNC after Sanders’ supporters breached the US Secret Service-designated security zone.

According to Gallup poll released earlier this month, Trump and Clinton are among the worst-rated presidential candidates of the last 70 years.

Almost six in 10 Americans, or 57 percent, have an unfavorable view of Clinton, while 38 percent have a favorable view of her, a Gallup poll released on Monday has found.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Tuesday, Trump has taken a two-percentage point lead over Clinton, marking the first time he has been ahead since early May.